do what you can, Gud - I can work on other things next week, so even if you can't get back to this weekend, I'd love your thoughts.

I've managed to do a bit of editing and 'Sarah' is closing in on getting done. It's also getting long at just a hair under 7,500 words. Already it's too big for a lot of markets. Ah well, I don't think I can make it significantly shorter.

Send me a copy, Gud.

Insent, along with some comments for 'Standards'. Hopefully they are coherent, I was reading with a headache after I got clocked by the hatch on my car. Stupid failing hatchback strut mounts.

I think Sarah is ready for a final edit. I need to get that story wrapped up. My query letter is now customized for the first agency I'll query.

Now if work will settle down, family members won't need computer help, and I get the taxes done I'll be able to get the new novel rolling.

Go, Gud! You're querying agents first?

I'm not that familiar with SF/fantasy imprints, in terms of who might take unsolicited submissions. Tor *might*, but I'm not sure.

I did find this about Tor.com while looking for stuff about print submissions.

And, you know, completely procrastinating on the stuff I'm supposed to be writing.

Hey, I was right! Tor/Forge does take unagented submissions, although it all falls under the Tom Doherty umbrella in that FAQ.

I'm querying agents first. I knew about Tor, but I'm submitting my short story to Tor.com so I figured I'd hold off on submitting the novel there on the off-chance they picked up the short story. Some of the same people are involved in sorting through the slush as dealing with the shorts.

I figure the short story is a longshot too, but, not to be egotistical, it is a good story so it's worth a shot. There are a decent number of markets that take SF shorts.

The first place I'm querying got 36,000 queries and took 9. So my hopes aren't exactly high in the midsts of that deluge.

Good luck Gud!

Thanks. I plan to apply some of your comments before pushing Sarah out the door.